Photographic product

ABSTRACT

A photographic film pack of the self-developing type comprising a container having a substantially constant volume divided into forward and rear chambers by a movable divider and a plurality of self-developing film units arranged in stacked relation in the forward chamber. The container includes an exposure aperture and openings permitting an exposed film unit to be withdrawn from the forward chamber for processing, to be introduced into the rear chamber for continued processing and/or storage, to be withdrawn from the rear chamber for examination, and to be returned to the rear chamber for storage following examination. The film pack also includes light shields for the exposure aperture and at least the withdrawal opening and a retaining member permitting introduction of a film unit through the opening through which film units are first introduced into the rear chamber while restraining the film unit against movement from the rear chamber through the same opening; and a resilient element for supporting film units in position for exposure. The divider includes a battery for operating a component of the photographic apparatus in which the film pack is employed and provides a light seal between the forward and rear chambers. The aggregate volume of the forward and rear chambers, in addition to being constant, is substantially the minimum sufficient to contain the unexposed film units and light shields initially contained within the container.

United States Patent Erlichman 1541 PHOTOGRAPHIC PRODUCT [72] Inventor;Wayland,Mass.

[73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge,

Mass.

221 Filed: Nov.2l, 1969 211 Appl. 196.; 878,747

Primary Examiner-John M. l-loran Assistant Examiner-Alan A. MathewsAttorney-Brown and Mikulka and Robert E. Corb 57 ABSTRACT A photographicfilm pack of the self-developing type [is] 3,682,062 1451 Aug. 8, 1972comprising a container having a substantially constant volume dividedinto forward and rear chambers by a movable divider and a plurality ofself-developing film units arranged in stacked relation in the forwardchamber. The container includes an exposure aperture and openingspermitting an exposed film unit to be withdrawn from the forward chamberfor processing, to be introduced into the rear chamber for continuedprocessing and/or storage, to be withdrawn from the rear chamber forexamination, and to be returned to the rear chamber for storagefollowing examination. The film pack also includes light shields for theexposure aperture and at least the withdrawal opening and a retainingmember permitting introduction of a film unit through the openingthrough which film units are first introduced into the rearchamber.while restraining the film unit against movement from the rear chamberthrough the same opening; and a resilient element for supporting filmunits in position for exposure. The divider includes a battery foroperating a component of thephotographic apparatus in which the filmpack is employed and provides a light seal between the forward and rearchambers. The aggregate volume of the forward and rear chambers, inaddition to being constant, is substantially the minimum sufiicient tocontain the unexposed film units and light shields initially containedwithin the container.

48Clairm,5DrawingFigures PIENIEDMIB' 8 I972 SHEET 1 0F 2 ATTORNEYSPATENTED 8 3,682,062

sum 2 OF 2 INVENTOR. F i 5 IRVING ERLICHMAN ATTORNEYS PHOTOGRAPHICPRODUCT In the copending U.S. Pat. application of Irving Erlichman, Ser.No. 878,638, filed on an even date vSer. No. 880,794, filed Nov. 28,1969, there is described a photographic system, specifically apparatussuch as a camera or camera back, and a method employing a photographicfihn assemblage or pack including a container and a plurality ofselfdeveloping film units contained therein. Each film unit is exposedwithin the container of the film pack, withdrawn therefrom forprocessing in which a liquid processing composition is distributedwithin the film unit and then the film unit is returned to the containerof the film pack. The camera is similar in many respects to the camerashown and described in the copending U.S. Pat. application of IrvingErlichman, Ser. No. 179 filed Jan. 2, 1970 and entitled PhotographicApparatus; and is capable of automatically processing film units andreturning them to the pack so that the operator need only load a filmpack into the camera, expose the film units and then remove from thecamera the same film pack now containing a plurality of processed filmunits, each containing a visible image, and preferably constituting acompleted positive photographic print requiring no further treatment.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel and improvedfilm assemblage, or film pack, especially adapted for use in aphotographic system of the type described, and specifically including acontainer holding a plurality of self-developing film units withprovision for withdrawing the film units, one at a time, for processingand then returning them to the container for continued processing andstorage.

An important feature of the photographic apparatus,

e.g., camera back, described in the aforementioned Erlichmanapplication, Ser. No. 179, is compactness and small size relative to thesize of the film pack and image produced. The apparatus is designed toutilize a film pack, including film units which must be retained in alight-free environment, during a period of predetermined duration, e.g.,a few seconds to a minute or more, following withdrawal from the packand commencement of processing, thus making it necessary to providespace within the apparatus (or in means coupled therewith) in which oneor more film units can be retained in a light-free environment untilprocessing has advanced to the stage wherein image quality is no longeraffected by exposure of a film unit to ambient light. The apparatus andmethod of the Erlichman application, Ser. No. 878,638, solve thisproblem of providing a light-free space for temporary storage ofinprocess film units by returning each film unit to the container of thefilm pack from which the film unit was withdrawn so that additionalspace is not required in the apparatus for storing in-process filmunits. This clear advantage is attributable, at least in part, to thenovel and improved film pack structure provided by the presentinvention.

Another important feature of the film pack of the invention, as well asthe system in which it is employed, is the provision of means permittingwithdrawal of one or more processed film units from the film packwithout the necessity for removing the film pack from the camera and/orexposing any other film unit remaining within the film pack. Thus theoperator is able to examine a film unit as soon as processing thereofhas advanced to the stage where image quality is not affected by ambientlight and need not wait until all of the film units, e.g., eight or 10,contained in the film pack, have been exposed and processed.

The film pack structure of the invention provides a further advantage inthat it permits a processed film unit, withdrawn for examination, to beinserted into the pack within the camera, thereby providing a convenientplace for storing film units which have been processed and examined.

Still another unique advantage of the self-developing film pack of theinvention is its essential contribution to a photographic system whicheliminates manual film handling from the self-developing processperformed in a camera. It is now possible for the operator to load amultiple exposure film pack into a camera, expose and process all of thefilm units initially contained in the film pack, and then unload thefilm pack containing the completed photographic prints from the camera,thus handling the film only during loading and unloading. There are nofilm components to be withdrawn from the camera during exposure orprocessing of successive film units so that there is no longer thenuisance of providing for discarding such components or storing themoutside of the camera. Moreover, loading and unloading, the only manualoperation required of the operator, are simple operations that can beperformed rapidly and do not provide an opportunity for improperoperation of the camera.

The present invention provides an essential contribution to still afurther objective, namely, a compact, automatic, self-developingphotographic system in which it is possible to expose film units at afrequency limited only by the time required, e.g., a fraction of asecond to perform a processing operation on each film unit, namely, towithdraw the film unit from the film pack, distribute a processingliquid within the film unit, and then return the film unit to the filmpack.

- The invention, accordingly, comprises the product possessing thefeatures, properties and the relation of components which areexemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of theapplication of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention,reference should be had to the following detailed description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photographic film pack embodying theinvention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal, sectional view of the film pack takensubstantially along the line of 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 in a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the filmpack;

FIG. 4 in an exploded, perspective view of components of the film pack;and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional view showing the film pack inphotographic apparatus,such as a camera, for exposing and processing thephotosensitive elements of the film pack.

The present invention is concerned with a photographic film assemblag'e,particularly a film pack, especially adapted to be employed inphotographic apparatus such as a camera of the type described in detailin the copending Erlichman application Ser. No.-

878,638. Such a film pack, designated 10, incorporating the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings as including a box orcontainer 12 having the general form of a relatively thinparallelepipedon, thinner at one end than at the other. Container 12includes a rectangular forward wall 14 formed with a rectangularexposure aperture 16 surrounded by a raised lip 18; side walls 20tapering slightly from the leading end of the film pack toward thetrailing end thereof; a leading end wall 22; trailing end wall 24; andrear wall portions 26 in the form of flanges extending towards oneanother from the rear edges of side walls 20. An alternative form of thefilm pack shown in FIG. 3 includes a rear wall extending completelyacross the rear of the container from one side wall 20 to the other.Container 12 is designed to be fabricated easily and inexpensively, forexample, of polymeric materials, by conventional moulding processes.

Container 12 is designed to hold and enclose, in a light-freeenvironment, a plurality, e.g., eight or 10, selfdeveloping photographicfilm units 30 of the type shown and described in the following patentsand copending applications commonly assigned herewith: U.S. Pats. ofEdwin H. Land, Nos. 3,415,644; 3,415,645; and 3,415,646, dated Sept. 10,1968; US. Pat. of Terry W. Milligan et al., No. 3,473,925, dated Oct.21, 1969; US. application of Edwin H. Land, Ser No. 622,287, filed Mar.10, 1967; and US. application of Albert J. Bachelder it al, Ser. No.744,912, filed July 15, 1968.

Each film unit 30 comprises all the materials required to effectuate animage-forming process, preferably for producing a positive photographicprint formed by a diffusion-transfer process. In such processes, aphotographic, image-recording element including a photosensitive,image-recording material,such as silver halide, is exposed to form animage (latent), and is treated by wetting it with a liquid processingagent to develop the image in the imagerecording material, form animage-wise distribution of transferable image-providing substances andtransfer the image-providing substances by diffusion to animage-receptive stratum, in which they are immobilized to form avisible, positive image. Although the preferred film unit disclosed isadapted to produce a photographic print in full color, it should beunderstood that the film unit may comprise materials for performing avariety of processes including, for example, producing a black-and-whiteprint according to processes such as disclosed in the US. Pats. of EdwinH. Land, No. 2,543,181, granted Feb. 27, 1951, and No. 2,662,822,granted Dec. 15, 1953; or may include all the materials and reagentsrequired to produce a full color photographic print by a process such asdisclosed in US. Pat. of Howard G. Rogers, No. 2,983,606, issued May 9,1961. This last-mentioned patent and the aforementioned Land US. Pat.Nos. 3,415,644, 3,415,645, and 3,415,646 and the Milligan et al. patentdisclose a photosensitive element including a silver halide emulsion anda dye developer, i.e., a dye which is a silver halide developing agent.The photosensitive element is a component of a film unit comprising asecond or image-receiving element, including an image-receiving layer ofa dyeable material, and a processing liquid in which the dye developeris soluble. To process the film unit following exposure, thephotosensitive and image-receiving elements are superposed with theemulsion and image-receiving layers facing one another, and theprocessing liquid is distributed in a uniform layer between the elementsfor permeation into the photosensitive layer where the liquid initiatesdevelopment of exposed silver halide. The dye developer is immobilizedor precipitated in exposed areas as a consequence of development whilein unexposed areas and partially exposed areas of the emulsion; the dyedeveloper remains unreacted and diffusible, thereby providing animage-wise distribution of unoxidized dye developer which istransferred, at least in part, by diffusion to the image-receiving layerwithout altering the image-wise distribution of the dye developer, toform a reversed or positive color image of the developed latent image inthe emulsion.

Each film unit 30 is illustrated in the drawings as comprising asheet-like, photosensitive or imagerecording element 32, a sheet-likesecond or imagereceiving element 34, and a rupturable container 36holding a quantity of processing liquid. Sheets 32 and 34 arerectangular and coextensive with one another and are arranged insuperimposed, face-to-face contact with at least the lateral edges ofeach sheet aligned with the lateral edges of the other. A bindingelement 38 is secured to the two sheets at the margins thereof forretaining the sheets in face-to-face relation, and includes rectangularexposure aperture 40 substantially coextensive with exposure aperture 16in the forward wall of the container, and adapted to define the extentof the image produced in the film unit.

The film pack 10 includes means for dividing container 12 into a forwardchamber or section 42 and a rear chamber or section 44. The means fordividing the container include a divider 46, dimensioned to engage theside and end walls of the container and having a generally planarforward surface and means in the fonn of a spring assembly 48 forbiasing divider 46 toward the forward wall of the container. The springassembly 48 is preferably formed of a single, rectangular blank of aresilient sheet material such as metal and includes a pair of lateralmembers 50, disposed in a common plane and connected at their ends bytransverse members 52 and intermediate their ends by a transverse member54. The ends of lateral members 50 and transverse members 52 may be bentforwardly as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, and transverse member 54 isdisplaced forwardly from the plane of lateral members 50. The springassembly is designed to be located within rear section 44 of the filmpack container between divider 46 and rear wall 28, with the rearsurfaces of lateral members 50 supported against rear wall portions 26(or rear wall 28), and with transverse members 52 and 54 displacedforwardly of the forward surface of the rear wall portions. Springassembly 48 includes two pairs of cantilever springs 56 extending fromtransverse member 54 forwardly and toward members 52. Each pair ofcantilever springs 56 is joined by a connecting member 58 and is adaptedto engage the rear surface of divider 46 for urging the dividerforwardly within the film pack container.

The divider, relatively stiff or rigid, is designed to prevent thepassage of light between the forward and rear sections of the film packcontainer and is constructed to engage the end and side walls of thecontainer so as to prevent light from passing between the divider andthe container walls. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the end and sideedges of the divider are thinner and more flexible than the medialportion thereof and are bent rearwardly so as to provide surfacesresiliently biased into engagement with the inner surfaces of the endand side walls. In an alternate embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, strips60 of a light-sealing material such as felt, flocking, pile, etc., aresecured to the edges of divider forengaging the end and side walls ofthe container in a light-tight manner.

A plurality, e.g., eight or 10, of film units 30 aremounted in stackedrelation within forward section 42 of the film container between forwardwall 14 and divider 46. The dimensions of the film pack container arepreferably such that the film units, dividing member and spring assemblyoccupy substantially all of the space within the film pack container,the container being expanded toward the leading end of the container toaccommodate the additional thickness of liquid containers 36. Springassembly 48 urges divider 46 toward the forward wall so that thedivider, being rigid, supports the forwardmost film unit against theforward wall in position for exposure to light transmitted throughexposure opening 16.

Film pack 10 is adapted to be employed in photographic apparatusdesigned to advance the foremost film unit, following exposure thereof,leading end first, i.e., with container 36 foremost, from the film packcontainer 12, distribute the liquid contents of container 36 between thephotosensitive and image-receiving elements of the film unit, and thenreturn the film unit, trailing end foremost, to the rear section of thefilm pack to a position behind spring assembly 48, between the latterand the rear wall (or rear wall portions) of the film pack container.Accordingly, the film pack container is provided with a first orwithdrawal opening 66 in the form of a slot in leading end wall 22adjacent forward wall 14, in alignment with the forwardmost film unit,and adapted to pass the forwardmost film unit from the interior of theforward section of container 12 to the exterior of the container. Theshorter dimension of opening 66 is preferably only slightly greater thanthe maximum thickness of a film unit 30 so as to permit movement of onlyone film unit at a time through the opening. Means in the form ofrelatively flexible members 67 formed integrally from leading end wall22 and extending at least part way 'across first opening 66 are providedfor resisting movement of a film unit through the first opening andpreventing movement (due to friction) of more than one film unit at atime into the first opening.

A second opening 68 is provided at the leading end of the film packcontainer, between the rear edge of leading end wall 22 and rear wallportions 26 (or rear wall 28), for admitting a film unit, moved trailingend foremost, into the rear section of the film pack container. Secondopening 68 is also preferably dimensioned to pass only one film unit ata time and may be narrower than opening 66 inasmuch as the secondopening is required to pass a container 36 of a film unit in acompressed and empty condition in which the container no longerconstitutes the thickest part of the film unit.

The film pack 10 of the invention is designed to be employed inphotographic apparatus such as a camera, and particularly a' camera ofthe type shown and described in the aforementioned Erlichmanapplications Ser. Nos. 179 and 878,638. A portion of such a camera isillustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawing as comprising a housing forenclosing and locating film pack 10 in position for exposure, andenclosing and mounting the operating components of the camera whichhandle and process the film units of the film pack. The camera housingshown includes a forward wall 70 having an exposure opening 72 in whichlip I8 is engaged for properly locating the film pack, and side walls(not shown), including channels for engaging flanges or rails '74 and 76on side walls 20 of the fihn pack container to support the latter withinthe camera. It should be noted that the forward to rear dimension ofrail74 is greater than the corresponding dimension of rail 76. Thechannels adapted to receive the rails are also of different widths so asto cooperate with the rails to prevent improper loading of the film packinto the camera.

Film units 30 are adapted to be processed by applying compressivepressure to each film unit, commencing with the container 36 andprogressing toward the trailing end of the film unit, to discharge thefluid contents of the container between the leading end portions ofphotosensitive and image receiving elements 32 and 34, and then spreadthe liquid in a thin layer between the elements at least coextensivewith the exposed area of the photosensitive element. The cameraillustrated in FIG. 5 includes means in the form of a pair of juxtaposedrolls 78 and 80 for applying compressive pressure to the film unit asthe film unit is advanced between the rolls. The film unit is preferablyadvanced between the rolls by rotating the rolls in engagement with thefilm unit, and the camera includes means for driving the rolls. Toprocess the foremost film unit-following exposure thereof, the leadingend of the film unit is advanced from exposure position within thecontainer through first opening 66, into the bite of the rolls, whichare rotated to continue the motion of the film in the same directionwhile maintaining the substantially planar configuration of the filmunit. The

camera includes means (not shown) adapted to extend through a filmengagement slot 82 in forward wall 14, adjacent one side of the filmpack container between exposure opening 16 and the leading edge of theforward wall into engagement with the foremost film unit. These lastmentioned means are adapted to engage an opening (not shown) in thelateral margin of the container 36 of the foremost film unit and aremoved in engagement with the container to advance the film unit into thebite of rolls 7 and 84).

The camera includes a drawer shown as comprising a rear wall 84, sidewalls 86, and an end wall 88, mounted for reciprocating motion withinthe camera housing, outwardly from an initial position shown in FIG. 5,for supporting and enclosing a film unit as the latter is advancedbetween and from engagement with rolls 78 and 80. A flexible curtain 90,secured at one end to the camera housing adjacent roll 78 and extendingaround guide rollers 92 and 94 mounted on the drawer, is

adapted to cooperate with the drawer, as the latter is extended from itsinitial position, to form a light-tight chamber for enclosing andprotecting the film unit from exposure to ambient light. A spring clip96, mounted within the drawer, is designed to engage the leading end ofa film unit, displace the trailing end of the film unit rearwardly, andthen return the film unit to a position behind its exposure positionduring return movement of the drawer to its initial position.

The camera housing includes an end wall 98 for supporting a guide member100, adapted to cooperate with another guide member (not shown) mountednear the end of the drawer (trailing end) furthest from clip 96, forguiding a film unit through second opening 68 into the rear section 44of the film pack container as the drawer is returned to its initialposition, and the film is moved by clip 96. The drawer also includesmeans near the end thereof furthest from clip 96 for engaging lateralmembers 50 adjacent the leading ends thereof to displace the lateralmembers forwardly to facilitate movement of the trailing end of the filmunit between the lateral members and rear wall(or rear wall portions)ofthe film pack container. It is to enable such means to engage thelateral members that the end portion of rear wall 28 is set back fromopening 68.

In the embodiment of the film assembly shown in FIG. 3, the container 36of the rearmost film unit located in the rear section of the film packcontainer between the lateral members and rear wall is displacedforwardly to facilitate insertion of a film unit, by small bumps 102provided on the forward surface of the rear wall (or rear wall portions)adjacent the side walls of the container.

It will be appreciated that a film unit held by spring clip 96 will bemoved only part way into the container during return movement of thedrawer to its initial position, and for this reason, a film engagingmember (not shown) is mounted on the drawer near the end furthest fromthe spring clip, for engaging the leading end of the film unit duringthe next succeeding movement cycle of the drawer to move the film unitcompletely into the container. It will also be apparent that as thedrawer is extended during the next processing cycle, there will be atendency for the film unit, engaged by spring clip 96, to be withdrawnfrom the rear section of the film pack container through opening 68.Accordingly, means are provided for restraining film units againstmovement from the container through opening 68,and in the form shown,these means comprise a retaining member 104 in the form of a thin,resilient element mounted on the inside of leading end wall 22. Member104 extends rearward at least part way across opening 68 toward the rearwall (or rear wall portions) so as to at least partially block theopening. Member 104 is bent inwardly in response to engagement with afilm unit during introductory movement thereof through the opening intothe container, and resists withdrawal movement of the film unit in theopposite direction because of the necessity for and difficulty ofbending retaining member 104 outwardly in order to withdraw the filmunit.

. The film pack is adapted to be employed with apparatus such as acamera having an exposure and/or processing system that is electricallyactuated. For example, the processing system including rolls 78 and 80,the tray and the means for feeding the foremost film unit into the biteof the processing rolls, may be driven by a motor adapted to be poweredby electricity. In the preferred embodiment of the film pack, divider 46comprises a battery for producing sufiicient current to operate thecamera to expose and/or process the film units contained in the filmpack. The film pack includes means for coupling the electrodes of thebattery to the electrically operated components of the camera. Thesemeans include a pair of flexible conductive strips 108, each connectedto an electrode of the battery, extending through first opening 66 tothe exterior of the film pack container where the conductive strips aresecured to leading end wall 22 in position for engagement by contacts110, mounted in the camera on end wall 98, and coupled to the electricalcomponents of the camera. Conductive strips 108 may, in an alternateembodiment, extend through second opening 68, in which case they wouldbe provided with sufficient slack to permit the unhindered movement ofthe battery forwardly within the film pack container. The preferredembodiments of the camera and the film pack include structure designedto permit the loading of the film pack into the camera by moving thepack lengthwise, leading end first, into the camera housing to engageflanges 74 and 76 in the channels within the camera housing. It is forthis reason that the preferred location for the portions of theconductive strips 108 adapted to engage the contacts in the camera areon the leading end wall of the container since it enables the contactsin the camera to be spring loaded into engagement with the conductivestrips to better assure good electrical contact.

Film pack container 12 is provided with a third opening 106 at thetrailing end of the container adjacent rear wall 28 or rear wallportions 26, dimensioned to permit the withdrawal of at least one filmunit at a time from the rear section, trailing end first,from thecontainer. The pack is adapted to be employed in an apparatus, such as acamera, having means, such as a door, which may be opened to permit themanual withdrawal of a film unit from the film pack and camera forexamination. The structure of the film pack and apparatus in which it isemployed also permit the operator to insert a film unit back into therear section of the camera housing for storage therein after the filmunit has been examined. In this way, the film pack provides the operatorwith the option to examine any or all film units after processingthereof has advanced to the extent that each film unit is no longersubject to impairment by exposure to actinic light; and/or to store anyor all of the film units within the film pack container until it is timeto reload the camera. Inasmuch as each processed film unit returns tothe pack to a position behind the divider and spring assembly andoccupies the same (or less) space originally occupied within the filmpack container, and the volume of the forward section of the containeris decreased while the volume of the rear section of the container isincreased as the film unit is withdrawn from the forward section, thecontainer will hold, for storage, all of the film units and the darkslide initially contained in the film pack. Thus, the operator, if hewishes, need only load the film pack into a camera in order to make asuccession of photographic prints, and then withdraw the pack from thecontainer after exposing and processing all of the film units comprisingthe pack.

The film pack is initially provided with means for preventing admissionof ambient light into the forward section of the film pack throughexposure aperture 16, withdrawal opening 66 and film engagement slot 82.In the embodiment shown, these means take the form of a dark slide 62formed of a relatively inflexible, light opaque material such as anorganic plastic or cardboard, engaged between the foremost film unit 30and the inner surface of forward wall 14. Dark slide 62 is approximatelycoextensive in size with the film units and is provided on its leadingend with skirt 64 formed of a flexible, light opaque sheet material orfilm equal in width at least to the space between side walls of thecamera housing and extending rearwardly across withdrawal opening 66enclosing relation thereto, and between leading end wall 22 and theleading edges of film units 30, specifically the leading edges ofcontainer 36. Prior to exposure to the foremost film unit, the darkslide 62, together with skirt 64 attached to the leading edge thereof,is advanced from the film pack container through withdrawal opening 66and is moved within the photographic apparatus in which the film pack isemployed, in the same manner as a film unit, into the rear section ofthe container to a position at which it can be withdrawn manually fromthe container and camera.

Since certain changes may be made in the above product without departingfrom the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in

combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls,

said forward wall including means defining an exposure aperture;

divider means located behind said forward wall dividing said containerinto forward and rear sections;

at least a photosensitive film unit including a layer of aphotosensitive image recording material and a liquid processingcomposition for initiating formation of a visible image upon permeationinto said layer following exposure thereof;

said film unit being disposed in said forward section and said dividermeans being movable at least forwardly within said container to urgesaid film unit toward said forward wall into position for exposure tolight transmitted by said exposure aperture and to reduce the volume ofsaid forward section while increasing the volume of said rear sectionupon withdrawal of said film unit from said forward section;

said container being formed at one end with a first openingcommunicating with said forward section and the exterior of saidcontainer, being dimensioned and located to pass said film unit, leadingend foremost, from the exposure position of said film unit to theexterior of said container;

closure means located between said forward wall and said film unit forpreventing admission of light through said exposure aperture prior toloading of said film assemblage into photographic apparatus, saidclosure means being movable, leading end foremost, through said firstopening;

claim 1 including a plurality of said film units arranged in stackedrelation in said forward section, said divider means being adapted tourge said film units forwardly to locate the forwardmost of said filmunits against said forward wall in position for exposure and to be movedleading end foremost through said first opening.

4. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3 wherein theaggregate volume of the said forward and rear sections is sufficient tocontain substantially only said film units and said closure meanscontained in said forward chamber.

5. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 4 wherein saidfirst opening is located closely adjacent said forward wall, saidcontainer includes at least rear wall portions joined to said side wallsand extending toward one another from said side walls and said secondopening is located closely adjacent said rear wall portions.

6. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 5 wherein saidrear wall portions are in the form of flanges on said side wallsextending toward one another for engaging the lateral margins of a filmunit located within said rear section.

7. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3 furtherincluding film engagement means extending rearwardly within said rearsection to at least the forward edge of said second opening forpreventing movement of said film units from said container through saidsecond opening while permitting movement of said film units into saidcontainer through said second opening.

8. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3 wherein saiddivider means include support means for engaging the rearmost film unitin said forward section and resilient means located behind said supportmeans for biasing said support means toward said forward wall to reducethe volume of said forward section and increase the volume of said rearsection upon withdrawal of one of said film units from said forwardsection.

9. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 8 wherein saidcontainer includes at least rear wall portions joined to said side wallsand extending toward one another and said resilient means extend intosaid rear chamber and are supported against said rear wall portions.

10. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3 wherein saiddivider means include a barrier for preventing the passage of lightbetween said forward and said rear sections of said container.

H. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3 wherein each ofsaid film units is independent of the others.

12. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 11 wherein eachof said film units includes at least a light-opaque layer located behindsaid layer of said photosensitive image-recording material.

13. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3 wherein atleast a wall of said container includes an opening providing access tosaid forwardmost film unit by means for engaging and moving saidforwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, through said first opening.

14. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least a rearwall portion joined to each of said side walls and extending toward theopposite side wall;

divider means located between said forward wall and said rear wallportions dividing said container into separate forward and rearsections;

said container being formed at one end with a first openingcommunicating with said forward section and the exterior of saidcontainer and a second opening communicating with said rear section andthe exterior of said container, each of said 2 openings being adapted topass a photographic film unit, edge foremost, between one of saidsections and the exterior of said container;

plurality of film units contained within said container and eachincluding at least a first layer for forming an image when exposed toactinic radiation and at least a second layer for aiding in thedistribution of a photographic liquid processing composition within saidfilm unit for permeation into said first layer to initiate formation ofa visible image within said each film unit;

said film units including at least a first film unit supported withinsaid forward section with the first layer of said first film unitlocated in position for exposure and at least a second film unit withinsaid rear section, said second film unit containing a visible image andbeing arranged in said second section with the first and second layersthereof disposed relative to the front of the said container in the sameorder as said layers of said first film unit; and

said container further is formed with a third opening located at theother end of said container, said third opening communicating betweenthe interior of said rear section and the exterior of said container forpassing at least one of said second film units from said rear section tothe exterior thereof.

15. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 14 wherein saidfirst film unit is supported in position for exposure against saidforward wall and said first opening constitutes the only opening in saidforward section permitting movement of said first film, leading edgeforemost, from exposure position within said forward section.

16. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 14 wherein theaggregate volume of said forward and rear sections is fixed and issufficient to contain substantially only said film units originallycontained in said forward section.

17. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 14 wherein eachof said film units is independent of the others.

18. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 17 wherein eachof said film units includes at least a light-opaque layer located behindsaid forward layer of said each film unit.

19. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 14 wherein saidforward wall of said container includes an opening overlying the leadingend of said forwardmost film unit adjacent to a lateral edge thereof toprovide access to said forwardmost film unit by means for engaging andmoving said forwardmost film unit leading end foremost through saidfirst opening.

20. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 14 furtherincluding a plurality of said film units arranged in stacked relationwithin said rear section, each of said film units within said rearsection having been previously contained within said forward section.

21. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 14 wherein saiddivider means include a barrier for preventing the passage of lightbetween said forward and said rear sections of said container.

22. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls;

divider means located behind said forward wall dividing said containerinto forward and rear sectrons;

a plurality of photosensitive film units each including a layer of aphotosensitive image recording material and a liquid processingcomposition for initiating formation of a visible image upon permeationinto said layer following exposure thereof;

said film units being disposed in said forward section in stackedrelation and said divider means being movable at least forwardly withinsaid container to urge a forwardmost one of said film units toward saidforward wall into position for exposure and to reduce the volume of saidforward section while increasing the volume of said rear section uponwithdrawal of said forwardmost film unit from said forward section; saidcontainer being formed at one end with a first opening communicatingwith said forward section and the exterior of said container and beingdimensioned and located to pass said forwardmost film unit, leading endforemost, from the exposure position of said forwardmost film unit tothe exterior of said container; said container being formed at said oneend with a second opening communicating with said rear section and theexterior of said container, dimensioned and located to admit saidforwardmost film unit, trailing end foremost, into said rear sectionfrom the exterior of said container; and

film engagement means extending rearwardly within said rear section toat least the forward edge of said second opening for preventing movementof said film units from said container through said second opening whilepermitting movement of said film units into said container through saidsecond opening, said film engagement means including a resilient memberextending rearwardly at least part way across said second opening, beingdeformable inwardly by engagement with a film unit during movementthereof through said second opening into said rear section and beingmounted to resist deformation outwardly through said second opening.

3,682,062 13 23. A photographic film assemblage comprising, incombination:

a container including forward, side and end walls; divider means locatedbehind said forward wall said film units being disposed in said forwardsection in stacked relation and said divider means being movable atleast forwardly within said container to urge a forwardmost one of saidfilm units toward film unit, leading end foremost, from the exposureposition of said forwardmost film unit to the exterior of saidcontainer;

said container being formed at said one end with a second openingcommunicating with saidv rear section and the exterior of saidcontainer, dimensioned and located to admit said forwardmost film unit,trailing end foremost, into said rear section from the exterior of saidcontainer;

said divider means include support means for engaging the rearmost filmunit in said forward section and resilient means located behind saidsupport means for biasing said support means toward said forward wall toreduce the volume of said forward section and increase the volume ofsaid rear section upon withdrawal of one of said film units from saidforward section; and

said container further includes at least rear wall portions joined tosaid side walls and extending dividing said container nto fo ard an r are said forward wall into position for exposure and to n reduce thevoltune of said forward section while a plurality of p j f fi unltseachlncludlng increasing the volume of said rear section upon a layer ofa photosensitive image recording materii hd l f id f d t film nit fromsaid al and a liquid processing composition for initiatf d ti of a Imagep Permeatlon 10 said container being formed at one end with a first saidl y f f g PP e thereof; opening communicating with said forward sectionsaid film umts being dlsposed in said forward section and the exterior fid container d b i in Stacked relation and Said divider. means beingdimensioned and located to pass said forwardmost movable at leastforwardly wltbm Sald Container to film unit, leading end foremost, fromthe exposure g a forwardmQst one P 531d film umts toward position ofsaid forwardmost film unit to the exterisaid forward wall into positionfor exposure and to or f said container; reduce the volume of saidforward section while said container being f d at i one d i h 3increasing the volume of said rear section upon second openingcommunicating i id rear zgggg gzi a forwardmost film mm from end tionand the exterior of said container, dimensioned and located to admitsaid forwardmost film COPtamer f W end wlth a fi unit, trailing endforemost, into said rear section opening communicating with said forwardsection from theexterior of said container f extenorl of Said and bemg26. A photographic film assemblage as defined in dlmensloned and ocatedto pass Sald orwardmost claim 25 further including electricallyconductive elements extending from the terminals of said battery to theexterior of said container where said conductive elements are attachedto the exterior of a wall thereof.

27. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 26 wherein saidconductive elements extend from said housing through one of said firstand second openings and are attached, at said one end of said container,to one of said end walls.

28. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 27 wherein saidconductive elements extend through said first opening.

29. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls;

divider means located behind said forward wall dividing said containerinto forward and rear sections; a plurality of photosensitive film unitseach including toward one another and said resilient means'exalayeroffipilotosensltive image rePPrding fe"- tnd into said rear chamber andare Supported and a. liquid processing composltlon for init atagainstsaid rear wall portions, said resilient means i forinatmn of a Imageupon permeanon include at least a guide member for guiding saidsaldlflyer tIOHOVYmg P thereof; film units, introduced through saidsecond open- Sa1 d film units benfg dlsposed 9 forward Section ing,between said resilient means and said rear wall Stacked relauon and Saldf means. bemg portions movable at least forwardly within saidcontainerto 24. A photographic film assemblage as defined in e aforwardmqst one Sald film unlts toward claim 23 including at least anopening underlying said said forward wan P for p f and f guide memberadjacent said one end providing access feducefhe Volume of said ffmlvardSection While to said guide member by means within photographicmFl'easmg the "P of sald rear sefmon up011 apparatus in which said filmassemblage is employed. Wlthdfawal Q 831d ost film unit from said 25. Aphotographic film assemblage comprising, in forward Sect10n} bi i saidcontainer being formed at one end with a first a container includingforward, side and end walls; ope ing mm nicating with said forwardsection divider means including a battery located behind said and the xerior of Said Container and being forward wall dividing said containerinto forward m nsioned and located to pass said forwardmost and rearsections; film unit, leading end foremost, from the exposure a pluralityof photosensitive film units each including position of said forwardmostfilm unit to the exteria layer of a photosensitive image recordingmaterior of said container; and

al and a liquid processing composition for initiating fonnation of avisible image upon permeation into said layer following exposurethereof;

said container further being formed at said one end with a secondopening communicating with said rear section and the exterior of saidcontainer,

dimensioned and located to admit said forwardmost film unit, trailingend foremost, into said rear section from the exterior of said containerand a third opening located at the other end of said container andcommunicating between the interior of said rear section and the exteriorof said container, said third opening being dimensioned to permit themovement of at least one of said film units at a time through said thirdopening.

30. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 29 furtherincluding an exposure aperture in said forward wall and closure meansfor preventing admission of light through said aperture and at leastsaid first opening prior to loading of said film assemblage intophotographic exposure apparatus, said closure means being movable fromsaid container through said first opening.

31. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in

combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least rearwail portions extending from said side walls toward one another;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer, each of said film units including a layer of a photosensitiveimage recording material; and

support means for urging said film units toward said forward wall;

said forward wall being formed with an aperture for transmitting lightto expose the forwardmost film unit;

said container being formed at one end with a first opening locatedadjacent the leading end of the forwardmost film unit for passing saidforwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, from said container, and asecond opening located adjacent said rear wall portions for admittingone of said film units at a time, trailing end foremost, into saidcontainer from the exterior thereof; and

closure means for preventing admission of light through said apertureand said first opening prior to loading of said film assemblage intophotographic exposure apparatus, said closure means including at least afirst closure portion for said aperture and at least a second closureportion associated with said first opening, said closure means beingmovable, leading end first, from said container through said firstopening and back into said container through said second opening.

32. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 31 furtherincluding divider means mounted intermediate said forward and rear wallportions for movement at least forwardly, said divider means dividingsaid container into forward and rear sections of variable capacity; saidfilm units being arranged in stacked relation in said forward sectionprior to withdrawal through said first opening; said rear section beingdimensioned to receive and contain in stacked relation, film unitswithdrawn from said forward section and introduced into said containerthrough said second opening.

33. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 32, furtherincluding resilient means for biasing said divider means toward saidforward wall to reduce the volume of said forward section and increasethe volume of said rear section as one of said film units is withdrawnfrom said forward section.

34. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 33 wherein saidresilient means are engaged between said divider means and said rearwall portions for biasing said divider means toward said forward wall.

35. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 34 wherein saidresilient means include at least a guide member for guiding said filmunits, introduced through said second opening between said resilientmeans and said rear wall portions.

36. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least rearwall portions extending from said side walls toward one another;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer, each of said film units including a layer of a photosensitiveimage recording material;

support means for supporting said film units against said forward wall;

said forward wall being formed with an aperture for transmitting lightto expose the forwardmost film unit;

said container being formed at one end with a first opening locatedadjacent the leading end of the forwardmost film unit for passing saidforwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, from said container, and asecond opening located adjacent said rear wall portions for admittingone of said film units at a time, trailing end foremost, into saidcontainer from the exterior thereof; and

flexible film engagement means extending rearwardly across at least aportion of said second opening for preventing movement of said filmunits from said container through said second opening, said filmengagement means being deformable inwardly to permit movement of saidfilm units into said container through said second opening.

37. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in

combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least rearwall portions extending from said side walls toward one another;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer, each of said film units including a layer of a photosensitiveimage recording material;

support means for supporting said film units against said forward wall;

said forward wall being formed with an aperture for transmitting lightto expose the forwardmost film unit;

said container being formed at one end with a first opening locatedadjacent the leading end of the forwardmost film unit for passing saidforwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, from said container, and asecond opening located adjacent said rear wall portions for admittingone of said film units at a time, trailing end foremost, into saidcontainer from the exterior thereof;

divider means mounted intermediate said forward wall and rear wallportions for movement at least forwardly, said divider means dividingsaid container into forward and rear sections of variable capacity; saidfilm units being arranged in stacked relation in said forward sectionprior to withdrawal through said first opening; said rear section beingdimensioned to receive and contain in stacked relation, film unitswithdrawn from said forward section and introduced into said containerthrough said second opening;

resilient means engaged between said divider means second openingbetween said resilient means and said rear wall portions; and

said rear wall portions define at least an opening located adjacent saidsecond opening behind said guide member providing access to said guidemember by means within photographic apparatus in which said filmassemblage is employed.

38. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in

combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least rearwall portions extending from said side walls toward one another;

a plurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer, each of said film units including a layer of a photosensitiveimage recording material;

support means for supporting said film units against said forward wall;

said forward wall being formed with an aperture for transmitting lightto expose the forwardmost film unit;

said container being formed at one end with a first opening locatedadjacent the leading end of the forwardmost film unit for passing saidforwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, from said container, and asecond opening located adjacent said rear wall portions for admittingone of said film units at a time, trailing end foremost, into saidcontainer from the exterior thereof; and

divider means including a battery mounted intermediate said forward walland rear wall portions for movement at least forwardly, said dividermeans dividing said container into forward and rear sections of variablecapacity; said film units being arranged in stacked relation in saidforward section prior to withdrawal through said first opensaid rearsection being dimensioned to receive and contain in stacked relation,film. units withdrawn from said forward section and introduced into saidcontainer through said second opening.

39. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 38 furtherincluding flexible, electrically conduc tive elements extending fromterminals of said battery to the exterior of said container where saidconductive elements are attached to the exterior of a wall thereof.

40. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 38 wherein saidconductive elements extend from said container through one of said firstand second openings.

41. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 40 wherein saidconductive elements are secured to the exterior of said end wallintermediate said first and second openings.

42. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 40 wherein saidcontainer is formed with a third opening at the other end thereoflocated adjacent said rear wall portions for permitting the movement ofat least one of said fihn units at a time from said container.

43. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 42 wherein saidrear wall portions define an opening in the region of said third openingpermitting engagement of a film unit introduced into said containerthrough said second opening to permit withdrawal of the last mentionedfilm unit through said third opening.

44. Photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 38 wherein each ofsaid film units is independent of the others.

45. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 44 wherein eachof said film units includes at least a light-opaque layer located behindsaid layer of said photosensitive image-recording material.

46. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in

- combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls, and a least a rearwall portion joined to each of said side walls and extending toward theopposite side wall;

divider means located between said forward wall and said rear wallportions dividing said container into separate forward and rearsections;

said container being formed at one end with a first openingcommunicating with said forward section and the exterior of saidcontainer and constituting the only opening in said forward sectionthrough which a film unit can be moved, leading edge foremost, and asecond opening communicating with said rear section and the exterior ofsaid container, each of said openings being adapted to pass aphotographic film unit, edge foremost, between one of said sections andthe exterior of said container;

a plurality of film units contained within said container and eachincluding at least a first layer for forming an image when exposed toactinic radiation and at least a second layer for aiding in thedistribution of a photographic liquid processing composition within saidfilm unit for permeation into said first layer to initiate formation ofa visible image within said each film unit;

said film units including a plurality of first film units arrangedin-stacked relation within said forward section with one of said firstfilm units supported within said forward section against said forwardwall with the first layer of said one film unit located in position forexposure and at least a second film unit within said rear chamber, saidsecond film unit containing a visible image and being arranged in saidsecond chamber with the first and second layers thereof disposedrelative to the front of the said container in the same order as saidlayers of said one film unit;

resilient means for biasing said divider means forwardly to support saidone film unit in position for exposure and decrease the volume of saidforward section while increasing the volume of said rear section uponwithdrawal of said one film unit from said forward section; and

film engagement means associated with said second opening for preventingmovement of a film unit from said rear section through said secondopening and permitting movement of one of said first film units intosaid rear section through said second opening.

47. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in

combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least a rearwall portion joined to each of said side walls and extending toward theopposite side wall;

divider means including a battery located between said forward wall andsaid rear wall portions dividing said container into separate forwardand rear sections;

said container being formed at one end with a first openingcommunicating with said forward section and the exterior of saidcontainer and constituting the only opening in said forward sectionthrough which a film unit may be moved, leading edge foremost, and asecond opening communicating with said rear section and the exterior ofsaid container, each of said openings being adapted to pass aphotographic film unit, edge foremost, between one of said sections andthe exterior of said container;

a plurality of film units contained within said container and eachincluding at least a first layer for forming an image when exposed toactinic radia-v tion and at least a second layer for aiding in thedistribution of a photographic liquid processing composition within saidfilm unit for permeation into said first layer to initiate formation ofa visible image within said each film unit;

said film units including plurality of first film units arranged instacked relation within said forward section with one of said first filmunits supported within said forward section against said forward wallwith the first layer of said one film unit located in position forexposure and at least a second film unit within said rear chamber, saidsecond film unit containing a visible image and being arranged in saidsecond chamber with the first and second layers thereof disposedrelative to the front of the said container in the same order as saidlayers of said one film unit; and

resilient means for biasing said divider means forwardly to support saidone film unit in position for exposure and decrease the volume of saidforward section while increasing the volume of said rear section uponwithdrawal of said one film unit from said forward section.

48. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in

combination:

a container including forward, side and end walls,

and at least a rear wall portion joined to each of said side walls andextending toward the opposite si e wall;

divl er means located between said forward wall and said rear wallportions dividing said container into separate forward and rearsections;

said container being formed at one end with a first openingcommunicating with said forward section and the exterior of saidcontainer and constituting the only opening in said forward sectionthrough which a film unit may be moved, leading edge foremost, and asecond opening communicating with said rear section and the exterior ofsaid container, each of said openings being adapted to pass aphotographic film unit, edge foremost, between one of said sections andthe exterior of said container;

a plurality of film units contained within said container and eachincluding at least a first layer for forming an image when exposed toactinic radiation and at least a second layer for aiding in thedistribution of a photographic liquid processing composition within saidfilm unit for permeation into said first layer to initiate formation ofa visible image within said each film unit;

said film units including a plurality of first film units resilientmeans for biasing said divider means forwardly to support said one filmunit in position for exposure and decrease the volume of said forwardsection while increasing the volume of said rear section upon withdrawalof one of said one film unit from said forward section; and

said container further is formed with a third opening located at theother end of said container, said third opening communicating betweenthe interior of said rear section and the exterior of said container forpassing at least one of said film units from said rear section to theexterior thereof.

1. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: acontainer including forward, side and end walls, said forward wallincluding means defining an exposure aperture; divider means locatedbehind said forward wall dividing said container into forward and rearsections; at least a photosensitive film unit including a layer of aphotosensitive image recording material and a liquid processingcomposition for initiating formation of a visible image upon permeationinto said layer following exposure thereof; said film unit beingdisposed in said forward section and said divider means being movable atleast forwardly within said container to urge said film unit toward saidforward wall into position for exposure to light transmitted by saidexposure aperture and to rEduce the volume of said forward section whileincreasing the volume of said rear section upon withdrawal of said filmunit from said forward section; said container being formed at one endwith a first opening communicating with said forward section and theexterior of said container, being dimensioned and located to pass saidfilm unit, leading end foremost, from the exposure position of said filmunit to the exterior of said container; closure means located betweensaid forward wall and said film unit for preventing admission of lightthrough said exposure aperture prior to loading of said film assemblageinto photographic apparatus, said closure means being movable, leadingend foremost, through said first opening; said container being formed atsaid one end with a second opening communicating with said rear sectionand the exterior of said container, dimensioned and located to admitsaid closure means and said film unit, trailing end foremost, into saidrear section from the exterior of said container.
 2. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 1 wherein the aggregate volume of saidforward and rear sections is sufficient to contain substantially onlythe film units and closure means contained in said forward section.
 3. Aphotographic film assemblage as defined in claim 1 including a pluralityof said film units arranged in stacked relation in said forward section,said divider means being adapted to urge said film units forwardly tolocate the forwardmost of said film units against said forward wall inposition for exposure and to be moved leading end foremost through saidfirst opening.
 4. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3wherein the aggregate volume of the said forward and rear sections issufficient to contain substantially only said film units and saidclosure means contained in said forward chamber.
 5. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 4 wherein said first opening is locatedclosely adjacent said forward wall, said container includes at leastrear wall portions joined to said side walls and extending toward oneanother from said side walls and said second opening is located closelyadjacent said rear wall portions.
 6. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 5 wherein said rear wall portions are in the form offlanges on said side walls extending toward one another for engaging thelateral margins of a film unit located within said rear section.
 7. Aphotographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3 further includingfilm engagement means extending rearwardly within said rear section toat least the forward edge of said second opening for preventing movementof said film units from said container through said second opening whilepermitting movement of said film units into said container through saidsecond opening.
 8. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3wherein said divider means include support means for engaging therearmost film unit in said forward section and resilient means locatedbehind said support means for biasing said support means toward saidforward wall to reduce the volume of said forward section and increasethe volume of said rear section upon withdrawal of one of said filmunits from said forward section.
 9. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 8 wherein said container includes at least rear wallportions joined to said side walls and extending toward one another andsaid resilient means extend into said rear chamber and are supportedagainst said rear wall portions.
 10. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 3 wherein said divider means include a barrier forpreventing the passage of light between said forward and said rearsections of said container.
 11. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 3 wherein each of said film units is independent of theothers.
 12. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 11wherein each of said film units includes at least a light-opaque layerlocated behind said layer of said photosensitive image-recordingmaterial.
 13. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 3wherein at least a wall of said container includes an opening providingaccess to said forwardmost film unit by means for engaging and movingsaid forwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, through said firstopening.
 14. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least a rearwall portion joined to each of said side walls and extending toward theopposite side wall; divider means located between said forward wall andsaid rear wall portions dividing said container into separate forwardand rear sections; said container being formed at one end with a firstopening communicating with said forward section and the exterior of saidcontainer and a second opening communicating with said rear section andthe exterior of said container, each of said openings being adapted topass a photographic film unit, edge foremost, between one of saidsections and the exterior of said container; a plurality of film unitscontained within said container and each including at least a firstlayer for forming an image when exposed to actinic radiation and atleast a second layer for aiding in the distribution of a photographicliquid processing composition within said film unit for permeation intosaid first layer to initiate formation of a visible image within saideach film unit; said film units including at least a first film unitsupported within said forward section with the first layer of said firstfilm unit located in position for exposure and at least a second filmunit within said rear section, said second film unit containing avisible image and being arranged in said second section with the firstand second layers thereof disposed relative to the front of the saidcontainer in the same order as said layers of said first film unit; andsaid container further is formed with a third opening located at theother end of said container, said third opening communicating betweenthe interior of said rear section and the exterior of said container forpassing at least one of said second film units from said rear section tothe exterior thereof.
 15. A photographic film assemblage as defined inclaim 14 wherein said first film unit is supported in position forexposure against said forward wall and said first opening constitutesthe only opening in said forward section permitting movement of saidfirst film, leading edge foremost, from exposure position within saidforward section.
 16. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim14 wherein the aggregate volume of said forward and rear sections isfixed and is sufficient to contain substantially only said film unitsoriginally contained in said forward section.
 17. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 14 wherein each of said film units isindependent of the others.
 18. A photographic film assemblage as definedin claim 17 wherein each of said film units includes at least alight-opaque layer located behind said forward layer of said each filmunit.
 19. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 14 whereinsaid forward wall of said container includes an opening overlying theleading end of said forwardmost film unit adjacent to a lateral edgethereof to provide access to said forwardmost film unit by means forengaging and moving said forwardmost film unit leading end foremostthrough said first opening.
 20. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 14 further including a plurality of said film unitsarranged in stacked relation within said rear section, each of said filmunits within said rear section having been previously contained withinsaid forward section.
 21. A photographic film assemblage as defined inclaim 14 wherein said divider means include a barrier for preventing thepassage of light between said forward and said rear sections of saidContainer.
 22. A photographic film assemblage comprising, incombination: a container including forward, side and end walls; dividermeans located behind said forward wall dividing said container intoforward and rear sections; a plurality of photosensitive film units eachincluding a layer of a photosensitive image recording material and aliquid processing composition for initiating formation of a visibleimage upon permeation into said layer following exposure thereof; saidfilm units being disposed in said forward section in stacked relationand said divider means being movable at least forwardly within saidcontainer to urge a forwardmost one of said film units toward saidforward wall into position for exposure and to reduce the volume of saidforward section while increasing the volume of said rear section uponwithdrawal of said forwardmost film unit from said forward section; saidcontainer being formed at one end with a first opening communicatingwith said forward section and the exterior of said container and beingdimensioned and located to pass said forwardmost film unit, leading endforemost, from the exposure position of said forwardmost film unit tothe exterior of said container; said container being formed at said oneend with a second opening communicating with said rear section and theexterior of said container, dimensioned and located to admit saidforwardmost film unit, trailing end foremost, into said rear sectionfrom the exterior of said container; and film engagement means extendingrearwardly within said rear section to at least the forward edge of saidsecond opening for preventing movement of said film units from saidcontainer through said second opening while permitting movement of saidfilm units into said container through said second opening, said filmengagement means including a resilient member extending rearwardly atleast part way across said second opening, being deformable inwardly byengagement with a film unit during movement thereof through said secondopening into said rear section and being mounted to resist deformationoutwardly through said second opening.
 23. A photographic filmassemblage comprising, in combination: a container including forward,side and end walls; divider means located behind said forward walldividing said container into forward and rear sections; a plurality ofphotosensitive film units each including a layer of a photosensitiveimage recording material and a liquid processing composition forinitiating formation of a visible image upon permeation into said layerfollowing exposure thereof; said film units being disposed in saidforward section in stacked relation and said divider means being movableat least forwardly within said container to urge a forwardmost one ofsaid film units toward said forward wall into position for exposure andto reduce the volume of said forward section while increasing the volumeof said rear section upon withdrawal of said forwardmost film unit fromsaid forward section; said container being formed at one end with afirst opening communicating with said forward section and the exteriorof said container and being dimensioned and located to pass saidforwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, from the exposure positionof said forwardmost film unit to the exterior of said container; saidcontainer being formed at said one end with a second openingcommunicating with said rear section and the exterior of said container,dimensioned and located to admit said forwardmost film unit, trailingend foremost, into said rear section from the exterior of saidcontainer; said divider means include support means for engaging therearmost film unit in said forward section and resilient means locatedbehind said support means for biasing said support means toward saidforward wall to reduce the volume of said forward section and increasethe volume of said rear section upon withdrawal of one of said fiLmunits from said forward section; and said container further includes atleast rear wall portions joined to said side walls and extending towardone another and said resilient means extend into said rear chamber andare supported against said rear wall portions, said resilient meansinclude at least a guide member for guiding said film units, introducedthrough said second opening, between said resilient means and said rearwall portions.
 24. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 23including at least an opening underlying said guide member adjacent saidone end providing access to said guide member by means withinphotographic apparatus in which said film assemblage is employed.
 25. Aphotographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: a containerincluding forward, side and end walls; divider means including a batterylocated behind said forward wall dividing said container into forwardand rear sections; a plurality of photosensitive film units eachincluding a layer of a photosensitive image recording material and aliquid processing composition for initiating formation of a visibleimage upon permeation into said layer following exposure thereof; saidfilm units being disposed in said forward section in stacked relationand said divider means being movable at least forwardly within saidcontainer to urge a forwardmost one of said film units toward saidforward wall into position for exposure and to reduce the volume of saidforward section while increasing the volume of said rear section uponwithdrawal of said forwardmost film unit from said forward section; saidcontainer being formed at one end with a first opening communicatingwith said forward section and the exterior of said container and beingdimensioned and located to pass said forwardmost film unit, leading endforemost, from the exposure position of said forwardmost film unit tothe exterior of said container; said container being formed at said oneend with a second opening communicating with said rear section and theexterior of said container, dimensioned and located to admit saidforwardmost film unit, trailing end foremost, into said rear sectionfrom the exterior of said container.
 26. A photographic film assemblageas defined in claim 25 further including electrically conductiveelements extending from the terminals of said battery to the exterior ofsaid container where said conductive elements are attached to theexterior of a wall thereof.
 27. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 26 wherein said conductive elements extend from saidhousing through one of said first and second openings and are attached,at said one end of said container, to one of said end walls.
 28. Aphotographic film assemblage as defined in claim 27 wherein saidconductive elements extend through said first opening.
 29. Aphotographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: a containerincluding forward, side and end walls; divider means located behind saidforward wall dividing said container into forward and rear sections; aplurality of photosensitive film units each including a layer of aphotosensitive image recording material and a liquid processingcomposition for initiating formation of a visible image upon permeationinto said layer following exposure thereof; said film units beingdisposed in said forward section in stacked relation and said dividermeans being movable at least forwardly within said container to urge aforwardmost one of said film units toward said forward wall intoposition for exposure and to reduce the volume of said forward sectionwhile increasing the volume of said rear section upon withdrawal of saidforwardmost film unit from said forward section; said container beingformed at one end with a first opening communicating with said forwardsection and the exterior of said container and being dimensioned andlocated to pass said forwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, froMthe exposure position of said forwardmost film unit to the exterior ofsaid container; and said container further being formed at said one endwith a second opening communicating with said rear section and theexterior of said container, dimensioned and located to admit saidforwardmost film unit, trailing end foremost, into said rear sectionfrom the exterior of said container and a third opening located at theother end of said container and communicating between the interior ofsaid rear section and the exterior of said container, said third openingbeing dimensioned to permit the movement of at least one of said filmunits at a time through said third opening.
 30. A photographic filmassemblage as defined in claim 29 further including an exposure aperturein said forward wall and closure means for preventing admission of lightthrough said aperture and at least said first opening prior to loadingof said film assemblage into photographic exposure apparatus, saidclosure means being movable from said container through said firstopening.
 31. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least rearwall portions extending from said side walls toward one another; aplurality of film units arranged in stacked relation within saidcontainer, each of said film units including a layer of a photosensitiveimage recording material; and support means for urging said film unitstoward said forward wall; said forward wall being formed with anaperture for transmitting light to expose the forwardmost film unit;said container being formed at one end with a first opening locatedadjacent the leading end of the forwardmost film unit for passing saidforwardmost film unit, leading end foremost, from said container, and asecond opening located adjacent said rear wall portions for admittingone of said film units at a time, trailing end foremost, into saidcontainer from the exterior thereof; and closure means for preventingadmission of light through said aperture and said first opening prior toloading of said film assemblage into photographic exposure apparatus,said closure means including at least a first closure portion for saidaperture and at least a second closure portion associated with saidfirst opening, said closure means being movable, leading end first, fromsaid container through said first opening and back into said containerthrough said second opening.
 32. A photographic film assemblage asdefined in claim 31 further including divider means mounted intermediatesaid forward and rear wall portions for movement at least forwardly,said divider means dividing said container into forward and rearsections of variable capacity; said film units being arranged in stackedrelation in said forward section prior to withdrawal through said firstopening; said rear section being dimensioned to receive and contain instacked relation, film units withdrawn from said forward section andintroduced into said container through said second opening.
 33. Aphotographic film assemblage as defined in claim 32, further includingresilient means for biasing said divider means toward said forward wallto reduce the volume of said forward section and increase the volume ofsaid rear section as one of said film units is withdrawn from saidforward section.
 34. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim33 wherein said resilient means are engaged between said divider meansand said rear wall portions for biasing said divider means toward saidforward wall.
 35. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 34wherein said resilient means include at least a guide member for guidingsaid film units, introduced through said second opening between saidresilient means and said rear wall portions.
 36. A photographic filmassemblage comprising, in combination: a container including forward,side and end walls, and at least rear wall portions extEnding from saidside walls toward one another; a plurality of film units arranged instacked relation within said container, each of said film unitsincluding a layer of a photosensitive image recording material; supportmeans for supporting said film units against said forward wall; saidforward wall being formed with an aperture for transmitting light toexpose the forwardmost film unit; said container being formed at one endwith a first opening located adjacent the leading end of the forwardmostfilm unit for passing said forwardmost film unit, leading end foremost,from said container, and a second opening located adjacent said rearwall portions for admitting one of said film units at a time, trailingend foremost, into said container from the exterior thereof; andflexible film engagement means extending rearwardly across at least aportion of said second opening for preventing movement of said filmunits from said container through said second opening, said filmengagement means being deformable inwardly to permit movement of saidfilm units into said container through said second opening.
 37. Aphotographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: a containerincluding forward, side and end walls, and at least rear wall portionsextending from said side walls toward one another; a plurality of filmunits arranged in stacked relation within said container, each of saidfilm units including a layer of a photosensitive image recordingmaterial; support means for supporting said film units against saidforward wall; said forward wall being formed with an aperture fortransmitting light to expose the forwardmost film unit; said containerbeing formed at one end with a first opening located adjacent theleading end of the forwardmost film unit for passing said forwardmostfilm unit, leading end foremost, from said container, and a secondopening located adjacent said rear wall portions for admitting one ofsaid film units at a time, trailing end foremost, into said containerfrom the exterior thereof; divider means mounted intermediate saidforward wall and rear wall portions for movement at least forwardly,said divider means dividing said container into forward and rearsections of variable capacity; said film units being arranged in stackedrelation in said forward section prior to withdrawal through said firstopening; said rear section being dimensioned to receive and contain instacked relation, film units withdrawn from said forward section andintroduced into said container through said second opening; resilientmeans engaged between said divider means and said rear wall portions forbiasing said divider means toward said forward wall to reduce the volumeof said forward section and increase the volume of said rear section asone of said film units is withdrawn from said forward section, saidresilient means include at least a guide member for guiding said filmunits, introduced through said second opening between said resilientmeans and said rear wall portions; and said rear wall portions define atleast an opening located adjacent said second opening behind said guidemember providing access to said guide member by means withinphotographic apparatus in which said film assemblage is employed.
 38. Aphotographic film assemblage comprising, in combination: a containerincluding forward, side and end walls, and at least rear wall portionsextending from said side walls toward one another; a plurality of filmunits arranged in stacked relation within said container, each of saidfilm units including a layer of a photosensitive image recordingmaterial; support means for supporting said film units against saidforward wall; said forward wall being formed with an aperture fortransmitting light to expose the forwardmost film unit; said containerbeing formed at one end with a first opening located adjacent theleading end of the forwardmost film unit for passing said fOrwardmostfilm unit, leading end foremost, from said container, and a secondopening located adjacent said rear wall portions for admitting one ofsaid film units at a time, trailing end foremost, into said containerfrom the exterior thereof; and divider means including a battery mountedintermediate said forward wall and rear wall portions for movement atleast forwardly, said divider means dividing said container into forwardand rear sections of variable capacity; said film units being arrangedin stacked relation in said forward section prior to withdrawal throughsaid first opening; said rear section being dimensioned to receive andcontain in stacked relation, film units withdrawn from said forwardsection and introduced into said container through said second opening.39. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 38 furtherincluding flexible, electrically conductive elements extending fromterminals of said battery to the exterior of said container where saidconductive elements are attached to the exterior of a wall thereof. 40.A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 38 wherein saidconductive elements extend from said container through one of said firstand second openings.
 41. A photographic film assemblage as defined inclaim 40 wherein said conductive elements are secured to the exterior ofsaid end wall intermediate said first and second openings.
 42. Aphotographic film assemblage as defined in claim 40 wherein saidcontainer is formed with a third opening at the other end thereoflocated adjacent said rear wall portions for permitting the movement ofat least one of said film units at a time from said container.
 43. Aphotographic film assemblage as defined in claim 42 wherein said rearwall portions define an opening in the region of said third openingpermitting engagement of a film unit introduced into said containerthrough said second opening to permit withdrawal of the last mentionedfilm unit through said third opening.
 44. Photographic film assemblageas defined in claim 38 wherein each of said film units is independent ofthe others.
 45. A photographic film assemblage as defined in claim 44wherein each of said film units includes at least a light-opaque layerlocated behind said layer of said photosensitive image-recordingmaterial.
 46. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:a container including forward, side and end walls, and a least a rearwall portion joined to each of said side walls and extending toward theopposite side wall; divider means located between said forward wall andsaid rear wall portions dividing said container into separate forwardand rear sections; said container being formed at one end with a firstopening communicating with said forward section and the exterior of saidcontainer and constituting the only opening in said forward sectionthrough which a film unit can be moved, leading edge foremost, and asecond opening communicating with said rear section and the exterior ofsaid container, each of said openings being adapted to pass aphotographic film unit, edge foremost, between one of said sections andthe exterior of said container; a plurality of film units containedwithin said container and each including at least a first layer forforming an image when exposed to actinic radiation and at least a secondlayer for aiding in the distribution of a photographic liquid processingcomposition within said film unit for permeation into said first layerto initiate formation of a visible image within said each film unit;said film units including a plurality of first film units arranged instacked relation within said forward section with one of said first filmunits supported within said forward section against said forward wallwith the first layer of said one film unit located in position forexposure and at least a second film unit within said rear chamber, saidsecond film unit containing a visible image and being arrangEd in saidsecond chamber with the first and second layers thereof disposedrelative to the front of the said container in the same order as saidlayers of said one film unit; resilient means for biasing said dividermeans forwardly to support said one film unit in position for exposureand decrease the volume of said forward section while increasing thevolume of said rear section upon withdrawal of said one film unit fromsaid forward section; and film engagement means associated with saidsecond opening for preventing movement of a film unit from said rearsection through said second opening and permitting movement of one ofsaid first film units into said rear section through said secondopening.
 47. A photographic film assemblage comprising, in combination:a container including forward, side and end walls, and at least a rearwall portion joined to each of said side walls and extending toward theopposite side wall; divider means including a battery located betweensaid forward wall and said rear wall portions dividing said containerinto separate forward and rear sections; said container being formed atone end with a first opening communicating with said forward section andthe exterior of said container and constituting the only opening in saidforward section through which a film unit may be moved, leading edgeforemost, and a second opening communicating with said rear section andthe exterior of said container, each of said openings being adapted topass a photographic film unit, edge foremost, between one of saidsections and the exterior of said container; a plurality of film unitscontained within said container and each including at least a firstlayer for forming an image when exposed to actinic radiation and atleast a second layer for aiding in the distribution of a photographicliquid processing composition within said film unit for permeation intosaid first layer to initiate formation of a visible image within saideach film unit; said film units including plurality of first film unitsarranged in stacked relation within said forward section with one ofsaid first film units supported within said forward section against saidforward wall with the first layer of said one film unit located inposition for exposure and at least a second film unit within said rearchamber, said second film unit containing a visible image and beingarranged in said second chamber with the first and second layers thereofdisposed relative to the front of the said container in the same orderas said layers of said one film unit; and resilient means for biasingsaid divider means forwardly to support said one film unit in positionfor exposure and decrease the volume of said forward section whileincreasing the volume of said rear section upon withdrawal of said onefilm unit from said forward section.
 48. A photographic film assemblagecomprising, in combination: a container including forward, side and endwalls, and at least a rear wall portion joined to each of said sidewalls and extending toward the opposite side wall; divider means locatedbetween said forward wall and said rear wall portions dividing saidcontainer into separate forward and rear sections; said container beingformed at one end with a first opening communicating with said forwardsection and the exterior of said container and constituting the onlyopening in said forward section through which a film unit may be moved,leading edge foremost, and a second opening communicating with said rearsection and the exterior of said container, each of said openings beingadapted to pass a photographic film unit, edge foremost, between one ofsaid sections and the exterior of said container; a plurality of filmunits contained within said container and each including at least afirst layer for forming an image when exposed to actinic radiation andat least a second layer for aiding in the distribution of a photographicliquid processing composition witHin said film unit for permeation intosaid first layer to initiate formation of a visible image within saideach film unit; said film units including a plurality of first filmunits arranged in stacked relation within said forward section with oneof said first film units supported within said forward section againstsaid forward wall with the first layer of said one film unit located inposition for exposure and at least a second film unit within said rearchamber, said second film unit containing a visible image and beingarranged in said second chamber with the first and second layers thereofdisposed relative to the front of the said container in the same orderas said layers of said one film unit; resilient means for biasing saiddivider means forwardly to support said one film unit in position forexposure and decrease the volume of said forward section whileincreasing the volume of said rear section upon withdrawal of one ofsaid one film unit from said forward section; and said container furtheris formed with a third opening located at the other end of saidcontainer, said third opening communicating between the interior of saidrear section and the exterior of said container for passing at least oneof said film units from said rear section to the exterior thereof.